May 8, 2013

Gov. Scott Walker says maybe there needs to be a tweak to the rule governing audits. / AP

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The Associated Press

WAUKESHA – Board members for the state’s economic development agency say they should have been allowed to participate in a recent audit that ultimately found a number of serious missteps.

The board of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. wasn’t allowed to know anything about the audit until the results were released last week. Several members said Wednesday they say they can’t be expected to do their jobs as board members if they’re shut out from the process.

Gov. Scott Walker says maybe there needs to be a tweak to the rule governing audits.

The audit was performed by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau.

Democratic state Sen. Julie Lassa says she’d like to have LAB auditors address the board so the board can get a better understanding of the standards they’re using.

Earlier story: Lawmakers to move ahead with WEDC budget vote

MADISON – The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee plans to move ahead with a vote on Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget for his chief economic development agency despite mounting concerns and Democrats’ calls for a delay.

Committee co-chair Rep. John Nygren said Wednesday he was prepared to move ahead with Thursday’s vote on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. two-year, $75.6 million budget.

Democrats have called for a delay given serious issues raised in a nonpartisan audit last week. That report was to be reviewed by the Legislature’s Audit Committee at the same time on Thursday that WEDC’s budget was up for a vote.

Nygren says that while reforms may be needed at WEDC, he doesn’t believe it should hold up consideration of the agency’s budget.

Milwaukee, Madison mayors oppose residency change

MADISON The mayors from Wisconsin’s two largest cities, along with other local officials from around the state, are calling on the Legislature to reject Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to remove a residency requirement for public workers.

The Capitol news conference Wednesday came a day before the Legislature’s budget committee planned to vote on Walker’s plan removing the residency requirement statewide. More than 100 municipalities in Wisconsin, including Milwaukee and Madison, have some sort of residency requirement.

But Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says the proposal is targeted at Milwaukee and the other affected communities are just “innocent bystanders.”